At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK & Ireland business, driving growth and shaping company culture.
- Company: Fast-growing pan-European payments technology company with a dynamic environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and opportunity to shape strategy.
- Other info: Based in London or the Midlands, with travel across the UK & Ireland.
- Why this job: Step into a true CEO role and make a significant impact in fintech.
- Qualifications: 10-15 years in payments or fintech, with P&L ownership experience.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We are working on a confidential mandate to find a Regional CEO to lead the UK & Ireland business of a fast-growing, pan-European payments technology company. This organisation is a fast-scaling European payments and banking technology company, operating across multiple markets and serving thousands of businesses across retail, hospitality and online commerce. This is a rare opportunity to step into a true regional CEO mandate — owning the P&L, setting strategy, building the leadership team, and shaping the culture for the business across two key markets.
The Role
- Own the UK & Ireland P&L and be fully accountable for revenue growth, profitability and operational delivery across both territories.
- Set market positioning, build and lead the senior leadership team, deepen relationships with customers and partners, and embed the standards and culture the business runs on.
- Work closely with Group leadership and contribute to global strategy.
- This role also carries personal regulatory accountability to the FCA, typically holding the SMF1 (Chief Executive) Senior Management Function under SM&CR.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the UK & Ireland P&L and deliver sustainable, profitable growth.
- Set and execute regional strategy and market positioning.
- Build, lead and develop the leadership team, attracting and retaining strong talent.
- Set the culture — ownership, accountability, collaboration and high standards.
- Build and hold senior relationships with customers, partners and industry stakeholders.
- Read the market and competition and turn insight into commercial opportunity.
- Run a disciplined operation with clear priorities and decisions driven by data and KPIs.
- Meet the regulatory responsibilities of the role under the FCA.
About You
- A strong track record in payments, fintech or financial services, with genuine commercial and operational responsibility — broadly 10–15 years, though trajectory matters more than tenure.
- P&L ownership, or clear readiness to step up to it, with evidence of delivering growth.
- Experience building and developing teams, and coaching talent.
- You’re a leader on an upward path — ready for your first full regional CEO mandate, or stepping up from a senior GM or commercial leadership role, with the ambition and headroom to grow with the business.
- Entrepreneurial, resilient and adaptable, with a genuine desire to build and scale rather than maintain.
- You’re a culture carrier who leads by example and builds trust.
- People‑first, hands‑on, and comfortable staying close to customers, teams and execution.
- Strong stakeholder management within a matrix/Group structure, with a strategic mindset and bias for action.
- Based in London or the Midlands, with the ability to travel across the UK & Ireland.
- Eligible for FCA approval (fit and proper).
Chief Executive Officer employer: ML
As a fast-growing pan-European payments technology company, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of ownership, accountability, and collaboration. Our London and Midlands locations offer a dynamic work environment where you can lead transformative initiatives, develop your leadership skills, and make a significant impact across the UK & Ireland markets. With a strong focus on employee growth and a commitment to high standards, we provide our team with the resources and support needed to thrive in the fintech landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Executive Officer
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We think you need these skills to ace Chief Executive Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to ML.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of ML. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at ML
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with ML, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at ML, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for ML could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at ML as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
